Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning control system

ABSTRACT

A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The HVAC system includes a sensor that detects a temperature of a heater of a heating component and emits a signal indicative of the temperature. A flow management device controls a flow of electricity or fuel from a power source to the heating component. A controller receives the signal from the sensor and operates the flow management device to block the flow of electricity or fuel to the heating component when the signal is indicative of the temperature being above a set point.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Non-Provisional Application claiming priority toU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/459,458, entitled “INFRARED SAFETYDEVICE FOR GAS OR ELECTRIC HEATING,” filed Feb. 15, 2017, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates generally to HVAC systems.

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems cool enclosedspaces by exchanging energy between a refrigerant and air. HVAC systemsdo this by circulating a refrigerant between two heat exchangerscommonly referred to as an evaporator coil and a condenser coil. Asrefrigerant passes through the evaporator coil and the condenser coil,the refrigerant either absorbs or discharges thermal energy. Morespecifically, as air passes over the evaporator coil, the air cools asit loses energy to the refrigerant passing through the evaporator coil.In contrast, the condenser enables the refrigerant to discharge heatinto the atmosphere. Inasmuch as refrigerant leaks compromise systemperformance or result in increased costs, it is desirable to providedetection and response systems and methods for the HVAC system toreliably detect and respond to any refrigerant leaks of the HVAC system.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) system. The HVAC system includes a sensor thatdetects a temperature of a heater of a heating component and emits asignal indicative of the temperature. A flow management device controlsa flow of electricity or fuel from a power source to the heatingcomponent. A controller receives the signal from the sensor and operatesthe flow management device to block the flow of electricity or fuel tothe heating component when the signal is indicative of the temperaturebeing above a set point.

The present disclosure also relates to a heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) system. The HVAC system includes a sensor thatdetects a temperature of a heat exchanger in a furnace system and emitsa signal indicative of the temperature. A switch or valve that limits aflow of fuel to the furnace system. A controller that receives thesignal indicative of the temperature and activates the switch or valveto limit the flow of the fuel to the furnace system in response to thesignal being indicative of the temperature exceeding a threshold value.

The present disclosure also relates to a heating ventilation and airconditioning (HVAC) system. The HVAC system includes a sensor thatdetects a temperature of an HVAC component and emits a signal indicativeof the temperature. A controller receives the signal indicative of thetemperature and transmits a signal to block the flow of fuel orelectricity to the HVAC system in response to the temperature being inexcess of a threshold temperature.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a building that mayutilize a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in acommercial setting, in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an HVAC unit of theHVAC system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a residential, splitHVAC system that includes an indoor HVAC unit and an outdoor HVAC unit,in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of an embodiment of an HVAC system, in accordancewith an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an HVAC system, inaccordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an HVAC system, inaccordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an HVAC system, inaccordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure include an HVAC control systemthat reduces and/or blocks combustion of a refrigerant. The HVAC controlsystem may include one or more infrared sensors that detect atemperature in a furnace system and communicate data collected by theone or more sensors to a controller. The controller may then compare asignal indicative of the temperature to a threshold temperature. If thetemperature is above a threshold temperature, the controller mayactivate one or more switches to turn off the flow of electricity and/orgas, such as natural gas, to the furnace system. By blocking the flow ofelectricity and/or gas to the furnace system, the HVAC control systemreduces the temperature of the furnace system and thus blocks combustionof the refrigerant. In some embodiments, the HVAC control system mayalso include refrigerant sensors that detect leaking refrigerant andcommunicate the detection to the controller. In response, the controlleractivates one or more switches to turn off the flow of electricityand/or gas to the furnace system to block combustion of the refrigerant.In still other embodiments, the HVAC control system may include airflowsensors that detect airflow flowrate through the furnace system. Thecontroller compares a signal indicative of the flowrate to a thresholdflowrate. If the flowrate is below a threshold flowrate, the controllermay activate one or more switches to turn off the flow of electricityand/or gas, such as natural gas, to the furnace system. Low airflow mayindicate a lack of heat transfer from the furnace system, which mayenable the furnace system to increase in temperature above a thresholdtemperature. Accordingly, by shutting down the flow of electricityand/or gas to the furnace system, the HVAC control system may blockcombustion of the refrigerant from an overheated furnace component.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a heating, ventilating,and air conditioning (HVAC) system for building environmental managementthat may employ one or more HVAC units. In the illustrated embodiment, abuilding 10 is air conditioned by a system that includes an HVAC unit12. The building 10 may be a commercial structure or a residentialstructure. As shown, the HVAC unit 12 is disposed on the roof of thebuilding 10; however, the HVAC unit 12 may be located in other equipmentrooms or areas adjacent the building 10. The HVAC unit 12 may be asingle package unit containing other equipment, such as a blower,integrated air handler, and/or auxiliary heating unit. In otherembodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may be part of a split HVAC system, suchas the system shown in FIG. 3, which includes an outdoor HVAC unit 58and an indoor HVAC unit 56.

The HVAC unit 12 is an air-cooled device that implements a refrigerationcycle to provide conditioned air to the building 10. Specifically, theHVAC unit 12 may include one or more heat exchangers across which anairflow is passed to condition the airflow before the airflow issupplied to the building. In the illustrated embodiment, the HVAC unit12 is a rooftop unit (RTU) that conditions a supply air stream, such asenvironmental air and/or a return airflow from the building 10. Afterthe HVAC unit 12 conditions the air, the air is supplied to the building10 via ductwork 14 extending throughout the building 10 from the HVACunit 12. For example, the ductwork 14 may extend to various individualfloors or other sections of the building 10. In certain embodiments, theHVAC unit 12 may be a heat pump that provides both heating and coolingto the building with one refrigeration circuit configured to operate indifferent modes. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may include oneor more refrigeration circuits for cooling an air stream and a furnacefor heating the air stream.

A control device 16, one type of which may be a thermostat, may be usedto designate the temperature of the conditioned air. The control device16 also may be used to control the flow of air through the ductwork 14.For example, the control device 16 may be used to regulate operation ofone or more components of the HVAC unit 12 or other components, such asdampers and fans, within the building 10 that may control flow of airthrough and/or from the ductwork 14. In some embodiments, other devicesmay be included in the system, such as pressure and/or temperaturetransducers or switches that sense the temperatures and pressures of thesupply air, return air, and so forth. Moreover, the control device 16may include computer systems that are integrated with or separate fromother building control or monitoring systems, and even systems that areremote from the building 10.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the HVAC unit 12. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the HVAC unit 12 is a single package unitthat may include one or more independent refrigeration circuits andcomponents that are tested, charged, wired, piped, and ready forinstallation. The HVAC unit 12 may provide a variety of heating and/orcooling functions, such as cooling only, heating only, cooling withelectric heat, cooling with dehumidification, cooling with gas heat, orcooling with a heat pump. As described above, the HVAC unit 12 maydirectly cool and/or heat an air stream provided to the building 10 tocondition a space in the building 10.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, a cabinet 24 enclosesthe HVAC unit 12 and provides structural support and protection to theinternal components from environmental and other contaminants. In someembodiments, the cabinet 24 may be constructed of galvanized steel andinsulated with aluminum foil faced insulation. Rails 26 may be joined tothe bottom perimeter of the cabinet 24 and provide a foundation for theHVAC unit 12. In certain embodiments, the rails 26 may provide accessfor a forklift and/or overhead rigging to facilitate installation and/orremoval of the HVAC unit 12. In some embodiments, the rails 26 may fitinto “curbs” on the roof to enable the HVAC unit 12 to provide air tothe ductwork 14 from the bottom of the HVAC unit 12 while blockingelements such as rain from leaking into the building 10.

The HVAC unit 12 includes heat exchangers 28 and 30 in fluidcommunication with one or more refrigeration circuits. Tubes within theheat exchangers 28 and 30 may circulate refrigerant through the heatexchangers 28 and 30. For example, the refrigerant may be R-410A. Thetubes may be of various types, such as multichannel tubes, conventionalcopper or aluminum tubing, and so forth. Together, the heat exchangers28 and 30 may implement a thermal cycle in which the refrigerantundergoes phase changes and/or temperature changes as it flows throughthe heat exchangers 28 and 30 to produce heated and/or cooled air. Forexample, the heat exchanger 28 may function as a condenser where heat isreleased from the refrigerant to ambient air, and the heat exchanger 30may function as an evaporator where the refrigerant absorbs heat to coolan air stream. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may operate in aheat pump mode where the roles of the heat exchangers 28 and 30 may bereversed. That is, the heat exchanger 28 may function as an evaporatorand the heat exchanger 30 may function as a condenser. In furtherembodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may include a furnace for heating the airstream that is supplied to the building 10. While the illustratedembodiment of FIG. 2 shows the HVAC unit 12 having two of the heatexchangers 28 and 30, in other embodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may includeone heat exchanger or more than two heat exchangers.

The heat exchanger 30 is located within a compartment 31 that separatesthe heat exchanger 30 from the heat exchanger 28. Fans 32 draw air fromthe environment through the heat exchanger 28. Air may be heated and/orcooled as the air flows through the heat exchanger 28 before beingreleased back to the environment surrounding the rooftop unit 12. Ablower assembly 34, powered by a motor 36, draws air through the heatexchanger 30 to heat or cool the air. The heated or cooled air may bedirected to the building 10 by the ductwork 14, which may be connectedto the HVAC unit 12. Before flowing through the heat exchanger 30, theconditioned airflows through one or more filters 38 that may removeparticulates and contaminants from the air. In certain embodiments, thefilters 38 may be disposed on the air intake side of the heat exchanger30 to prevent contaminants from contacting the heat exchanger 30.

The HVAC unit 12 also may include other equipment for implementing thethermal cycle. Compressors 42 increase the pressure and temperature ofthe refrigerant before the refrigerant enters the heat exchanger 28. Thecompressors 42 may be any suitable type of compressors, such as scrollcompressors, rotary compressors, screw compressors, or reciprocatingcompressors. In some embodiments, the compressors 42 may include a pairof hermetic direct drive him arranged in a dual stage configuration 44.However, in other embodiments, any number of the compressors 42 may beprovided to achieve various stages of heating and/or cooling. As may beappreciated, additional equipment and devices may be included in theHVAC unit 12, such as a solid-core filter drier, a drain pan, adisconnect switch, an economizer, pressure switches, phase monitors, andhumidity sensors, among other things.

The HVAC unit 12 may receive power through a terminal block 46. Forexample, a high voltage power source may be connected to the terminalblock 46 to power the equipment. The operation of the HVAC unit 12 maybe governed or regulated by a control board 48. The control board 48 mayinclude control circuitry connected to a thermostat, sensors, andalarms. One or more of these components may be referred to hereinseparately or collectively as the control device 16. The controlcircuitry may be configured to control operation of the equipment,provide alarms, and monitor control switches. Wiring 49 may connect thecontrol board 48 and the terminal block 46 to the equipment of the HVACunit 12.

FIG. 3 illustrates a residential heating and cooling system 50, also inaccordance with present techniques. The residential heating and coolingsystem 50 may provide heated and cooled air to a residential structure,as well as provide outside air for ventilation and provide improvedindoor air quality (IAQ) through devices such as ultraviolet lights andair filters. In the illustrated embodiment, the residential heating andcooling system 50 is a split HVAC system. In general, a residence 52conditioned by a split HVAC system may include refrigerant conduits 54that operatively couple the indoor unit 56 to the outdoor unit 58. Theindoor unit 56 may be positioned in a utility room, an attic, abasement, and so forth. The outdoor unit 58 is typically situatedadjacent to a side of residence 52 and is covered by a shroud to protectthe system components and to prevent leaves and other debris orcontaminants from entering the unit. The refrigerant conduits 54transfer refrigerant between the indoor unit 56 and the outdoor unit 58,typically transferring primarily liquid refrigerant in one direction andprimarily vaporized refrigerant in an opposite direction.

When the system shown in FIG. 3 is operating as an air conditioner, aheat exchanger 60 in the outdoor unit 58 serves as a condenser forre-condensing vaporized refrigerant flowing from the indoor unit 56 tothe outdoor unit 58 via one of the refrigerant conduits 54. In theseapplications, a heat exchanger 62 of the indoor unit functions as anevaporator. Specifically, the heat exchanger 62 receives liquidrefrigerant, which may be expanded by an expansion device, andevaporates the refrigerant before returning it to the outdoor unit 58.

The outdoor unit 58 draws environmental air through the heat exchanger60 using a fan 64 and expels the air above the outdoor unit 58. Whenoperating as an air conditioner, the air is heated by the heat exchanger60 within the outdoor unit 58 and exits the unit at a temperature higherthan it entered. The indoor unit 56 includes a blower or fan 66 thatdirects air through or across the indoor heat exchanger 62, where theair is cooled when the system is operating in air conditioning mode.Thereafter, the air is passed through ductwork 68 that directs the airto the residence 52. The overall system operates to maintain a desiredtemperature as set by a system controller. When the temperature sensedinside the residence 52 is higher than the set point on the thermostat,or the set point plus a small amount, the residential heating andcooling system 50 may become operative to refrigerate additional air forcirculation through the residence 52. When the temperature reaches theset point, or the set point minus a small amount, the residentialheating and cooling system 50 may stop the refrigeration cycletemporarily.

The residential heating and cooling system 50 may also operate as a heatpump. When operating as a heat pump, the roles of heat exchangers 60 and62 are reversed. That is, the heat exchanger 60 of the outdoor unit 58will serve as an evaporator to evaporate refrigerant and thereby coolair entering the outdoor unit 58 as the air passes over outdoor the heatexchanger 60. The indoor heat exchanger 62 will receive a stream of airblown over it and will heat the air by condensing the refrigerant.

In some embodiments, the indoor unit 56 may include a furnace system 70.For example, the indoor unit 56 may include the furnace system 70 whenthe residential heating and cooling system 50 is not configured tooperate as a heat pump. The furnace system 70 may include a burnerassembly and heat exchanger, among other components, inside the indoorunit 56. Fuel is provided to the burner assembly of the furnace 70 whereit is mixed with air and combusted to form combustion products. Thecombustion products may pass through tubes or piping in a heatexchanger, separate from heat exchanger 62, such that air directed bythe blower 66 passes over the tubes or pipes and extracts heat from thecombustion products. The heated air may then be routed from the furnacesystem 70 to the ductwork 68 for heating the residence 52.

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of a vapor compression system 72 that can beused in any of the systems described above. The vapor compression system72 may circulate a refrigerant through a circuit starting with acompressor 74. The circuit may also include a condenser 76, an expansionvalve(s) or device(s) 78, and an evaporator 80. The vapor compressionsystem 72 may further include a control panel 82 that has an analog todigital (A/D) converter 84, a microprocessor 86, a non-volatile memory88, and/or an interface board 90. The control panel 82 and itscomponents may function to regulate operation of the vapor compressionsystem 72 based on feedback from an operator, from sensors of the vaporcompression system 72 that detect operating conditions, and so forth.

In some embodiments, the vapor compression system 72 may use one or moreof a variable speed drive (VSDs) 92, a motor 94, the compressor 74, thecondenser 76, the expansion valve or device 78, and/or the evaporator80. The motor 94 may drive the compressor 74 and may be powered by thevariable speed drive (VSD) 92. The VSD 92 receives alternating current(AC) power having a particular fixed line voltage and fixed linefrequency from an AC power source, and provides power having a variablevoltage and frequency to the motor 94. In other embodiments, the motor94 may be powered directly from an AC or direct current (DC) powersource. The motor 94 may include any type of electric motor that can bepowered by a VSD or directly from an AC or DC power source, such as aswitched reluctance motor, an induction motor, an electronicallycommutated permanent magnet motor, or another suitable motor.

The compressor 74 compresses a refrigerant vapor and delivers the vaporto the condenser 76 through a discharge passage. In some embodiments,the compressor 74 may be a centrifugal compressor. The refrigerant vapordelivered by the compressor 74 to the condenser 76 may transfer heat toa fluid passing across the condenser 76, such as ambient orenvironmental air 96. The refrigerant vapor may condense to arefrigerant liquid in the condenser 76 as a result of thermal heattransfer with the environmental air 96. The liquid refrigerant from thecondenser 76 may flow through the expansion device 78 to the evaporator80.

The liquid refrigerant delivered to the evaporator 80 may absorb heatfrom another air stream, such as a supply air stream 98 provided to thebuilding 10 or the residence 52. For example, the supply air stream 98may include ambient or environmental air, return air from a building, ora combination of the two. The liquid refrigerant in the evaporator 80may undergo a phase change from the liquid refrigerant to a refrigerantvapor. In this manner, the evaporator 38 may reduce the temperature ofthe supply air stream 98 via thermal heat transfer with the refrigerant.Thereafter, the vapor refrigerant exits the evaporator 80 and returns tothe compressor 74 by a suction line to complete the cycle.

In some embodiments, the vapor compression system 72 may further includea reheat coil in addition to the evaporator 80. For example, the reheatcoil may be positioned downstream of the evaporator relative to thesupply air stream 98 and may reheat the supply air stream 98 when thesupply air stream 98 is overcooled to remove humidity from the supplyair stream 98 before the supply air stream 98 is directed to thebuilding 10 or the residence 52.

It should be appreciated that any of the features described herein maybe incorporated with the HVAC unit 12, the residential heating andcooling system 50, or other HVAC systems. Additionally, while thefeatures disclosed herein are described in the context of embodimentsthat directly heat and cool a supply air stream provided to a buildingor other load, embodiments of the present disclosure may be applicableto other HVAC systems as well. For example, the features describedherein may be applied to mechanical cooling systems, free coolingsystems, chiller systems, or other heat pump or refrigerationapplications.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a split HVAC system 120that uses a desired refrigerant. The desired refrigerant beingclassified as numerically equal to or greater than the refrigerants A2Lor B2L according to the ISO 817 refrigerant classification scheme. Forexample, the refrigerant may be an A2L, B2L, A2, B2, A3, or B3refrigerant according to the ISO 817 refrigerant classification scheme.Because the HVAC system 120 uses a refrigerant to cool an enclosed space122, the HVAC system 120 includes an HVAC control system 124. The HVACcontrol system 124 blocks and/or reduces combustion of the refrigerantin the event the refrigerant leaks and/or is released. Examples of anenclosed space 122 include a home, apartment, or office building.

The HVAC system 120 may be a split system with refrigerant conduits 54that couple the indoor unit 56 to the outdoor unit 58. The refrigerantconduits 54 transfer the refrigerant between the indoor unit 56 and theoutdoor unit 58, primarily transferring liquid refrigerant in onedirection and vaporized refrigerant in an opposite direction.

As discussed above, the heat exchanger 60 in the outdoor unit 58 servesas a condenser for re-condensing vaporized refrigerant flowing from theindoor unit 56 to the outdoor unit 58 via one of the refrigerantconduits 54, while the heat exchanger 62 of the indoor unit 56 functionsas an evaporator. During operation, the liquid refrigerant in the heatexchanger 62 absorbs energy causing it to evaporate. After passingthrough the heat exchanger 62, the evaporated refrigerant is redirectedto the outdoor unit 58 where the fan 64 draws air over the heatexchanger 60 enabling the vaporized refrigerant to condense by rejectingheat to the atmosphere. The heat transfer cycle then begins again as theliquid refrigerant is pumped by the compressor 65 back to the heatexchanger 62 where it absorbs energy from air blown by the blower 66.After passing over the heat exchanger 62, the cool air is carriedthrough one or more air ducts 68 to various areas of the enclosed space122.

In some embodiments, the indoor unit 56 may include a heating system,such as the furnace system 70. The furnace system 70 may include aheating component, such as a burner assembly, and a heater, such as aheat exchanger, among other components. In some embodiments, the furnacesystem 70 combusts a fuel, such as natural gas, to generate heat. Thecombustion products may pass through tubes or piping in a heatexchanger, separate from heat exchanger 62, such that air directed bythe blower 66 passing over the tubes or pipes of the heat exchangerabsorbs heat from the combustion products. The heated air may then berouted from the furnace system 70 to the ductwork 68 for heating theenclosed space 122. In some embodiments, the furnace system 70 may notcombust a fuel, but may instead use electrical energy to heat air blownby the blower 66. For example, the heater and/or heating component maybe an electric resistance-heating coil.

Unfortunately, HVAC systems may leak refrigerant. Accordingly, the HVACsystem 120 includes an HVAC control system 124 that blocks and/orreduces combustion of the refrigerant. The HVAC control system 124 mayinclude one or more sensors 126 capable of sensing or detecting thepresence of the refrigerant, one or more infrared sensors 128 capable ofdetecting the temperature of components in the furnace system 70, and/orone or more airflow sensors 130 that detect airflow through the furnacesystem 70. The types of sensors 126 used to detect the refrigerant mayinclude electrochemical sensors, catalytic bead sensors, photoionizationsensors, semiconductor sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and holographicsensors, among others. The infrared sensors 128 may detect temperaturesin the furnace system 70 that may potentially combust the refrigerant.For example, the infrared sensors 128 may detect hotspots. The airflowsensors 130 may be flowrate sensors and/or pressure sensors configuredto detect when the airflow through the furnace system 70 falls below athreshold level or set point. If the airflow through the furnace system70 drops below a threshold level or set point, the temperature ofcomponents in the furnace system 70, or portions thereof, may increaseabove a threshold temperature or set point. In other words, insufficientairflow through the furnace system 70 reduces heat transfer fromcomponents of the furnace system 70, which may enable them to increasein temperature above a threshold temperature or set point. Accordingly,monitoring the airflow through the furnace system 70 enables the HVACcontrol system 124 to shut down the furnace system 70 before thetemperatures of one or more components in the furnace system 70increases above a threshold level or set point.

A controller 132 receives signals or feedback from the sensors 126, 128,and 130. As illustrated, the sensors 126 may be in various locations.For example, the HVAC control system 124 may include sensors 126 in theindoor unit 56. In some embodiments, the indoor unit 56 includes asensor 126 in a blower compartment 134, a furnace compartment 136, andin a heat exchanger compartment 138. The sensors 126 may therefore be inthe same compartment as the heat exchanger 62, as well as upstreamand/or downstream from the heat exchanger 62. However, the type,location, and number of sensors 126 may vary depending on theembodiment. As discussed in detail below, the infrared sensors 128 mayalso be positioned at various locations in the furnace system 70.Similarly, the airflow sensors 130 may be positioned at variouslocations in the HVAC system 120, including upstream and/or downstreamof the furnace system 70 or within the furnace system 70 to detectairflow.

The controller 132 may include a processor 140 and a memory 142 used inprocessing one or more signals from one or more sensors 126, 128, and/or130. For example, the processor 140 may be a microprocessor thatexecutes software to control the HVAC control system 124. The processor140 may include multiple microprocessors, one or more “general-purpose”microprocessors, one or more special-purpose microprocessors, and/or oneor more application specific integrated circuits (ASICS), or somecombination thereof. For example, the processor 140 may include one ormore reduced instruction set (RISC) processors.

The memory 142 may include a volatile memory, such as random accessmemory (RAM), and/or a nonvolatile memory, such as read-only memory(ROM). The memory 142 may store a variety of information and may be usedfor various purposes. For example, the memory 142 may store processorexecutable instructions, such as firmware or software, for the processor140 to execute. The memory may include ROM, flash memory, a hard drive,or any other suitable optical, magnetic, or solid-state storage medium,or a combination thereof. The memory may store data, instructions, andany other suitable data.

In operation, the controller 132 receives one or more signals indicativeof the concentration of refrigerant from one or more sensors 126. Insome embodiments, the controller 132 compares the detected concentrationof refrigerant to a threshold concentration to determine whether thedetected concentration of refrigerant is capable of combustion. If theconcentration is incapable of combustion, the controller 132 maycontinue monitoring feedback from the sensors 126. However, if theconcentration is capable of combustion, the controller 132 may controlone or more flow management devices to reduce and/or block combustion ofthe refrigerant. In certain embodiments, the flow management devices mayinclude power switches 144 and/or gas valves 146 to reduce and/or blockcombustion of the refrigerant from an energy source. For example, thecontroller 132 may activate a switch 144 to turn off one or moreelectric resistance-heating coils or shutoff the flow of gas to afurnace system 70. In certain embodiments, the switch 144 maysubstantially limit, block, or completely prevent a flow of electricityto the electric resistance-heating coils. For example, the switch 144may be opened to break an electric flow path between a power source andthe electric resistance-heating coil. In certain embodiments, the gasvalve 146 may be operated to substantially limit, block, or completelyprevent a flow of gas or other fuel from a power or fuel source to thefurnace system 70. For example, the gas valve 146 may be closed to sealoff a flow of fuel or gas to the furnace system 70. In this way, thecontroller 132 is able to reduce the temperature in the furnace system70 or other heating system of the HVAC system.

The controller 132 may also receive one or more signals indicative of atemperature in the furnace system 70 with one or more infrared sensors128. In operation, the infrared sensors 128 detect the temperature ofelectric resistance-heating coils in an electric-based furnace system 70or the temperature of a heat exchanger in a gas-based furnace system 70.As the controller 132 receives the signals, the controller 132 comparesthe signals indicative of a temperature to a threshold temperature orset point. In some embodiments, the threshold temperature isapproximately the temperature at which the refrigerant combusts. Inanother embodiment, the threshold temperature or set point is atemperature less than the combustion temperature of the refrigerant. Ifthe detected temperature exceeds the threshold temperature or set point,the controller 132 may then shut off the flow of electricity or gas,depending on the type of furnace system 70. By shutting off the flow ofelectricity or gas, the furnace system 70 reduces the temperature of thecomponents in the furnace system 70, and thus the possibility ofcombusting leaking refrigerant. For example, the controller 132 mayactivate a switch 144 to turn off one or more electricresistance-heating coils or shut off the flow of gas to a furnace system70. However, if the temperature is less than the threshold temperatureor set point, the controller 132 continues to monitor feedback from theone or more infrared sensors 128.

The controller 132 may also receive one or more signals indicative of anairflow in the furnace system 70 with one or more airflow sensors 130.The airflow sensors 130 may be pressure sensors and/or flowrate sensorsthat enable the controller 132 to detect the amount of airflow throughthe furnace system 70. As explained above, if the airflow through thefurnace system 70 drops below a threshold level or set point, thetemperature of components in the furnace system 70 may increase above athreshold temperature or set point. In other words, insufficient airflowthrough the furnace system 70 reduces heat transfer from components ofthe furnace system 70 enabling them to increase in temperature above athreshold temperature or set point. Accordingly, monitoring the airflowthrough the furnace system 70 may enable shutdown of the furnace system70 before the temperatures of components in the furnace system 70increase above a threshold level or set point. And in response to thedetected airflow, the controller 132 is able to shut down the flow ofelectricity or gas and thus reduce possible combustion of leakingrefrigerant. For example, the controller 132 may activate a switch 144to turn off one or more electric resistance-heating coils in the furnacesystem 70. The controller 132 may also shut off the flow of gas to afurnace system 70 containing a burner and thus reduce the temperature ofthe heat exchanger. However, if the airflow is greater than or equal tothe threshold airflow level or set point, the controller 132 continuesto monitor feedback from the one or more airflow sensors 130.

In some embodiments, the controller 132 may communicate through wirelessand/or wired networks with an electronic device 156. That is, thecontroller 132 may provide updates and/or receive input from a userthrough the electronic device 156. The electronic device 156 may be acell phone, laptop, smart thermostat, tablet, watch, or the like. Forexample, the controller 132 may provide a warning to a user thatrefrigerant is leaking from the HVAC system 120, that temperatures inthe furnace system 70 are above a threshold level or set point, and/orthat airflow through the HVAC system 120 is below a threshold level orset point. The warning may be provided in a variety ways including as awritten message on a display of electronic device 156, an audio message,a warning sound, flashing lights, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the controller 132 may request feedback from theuser through the electronic device 156. The feedback may includeconfirming shutoff of electrical power and/or gas flow to the furnacesystem 70. The electronic device 156 may also enable a user to changethe threshold concentration of refrigerant used to determine whethercombustion of the refrigerant is possible and/or likely, change thethreshold temperature, and/or change threshold airflow values.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the HVAC system 120.The HVAC system 120 includes a furnace system 70 that includes one ormore electric resistance-heating coils 170 that heat air for theenclosed space 122, when the HVAC system 120 is operating in a heatingmode. In operation, the blower or fan 66 forces air through the furnacesystem 70, where the air is heated by the electric resistance-heatingcoils 170.

In order to block combustion of potentially leaking refrigerant in theindoor unit 56, the HVAC system 120 includes infrared sensors 128 thatdetect the temperature of the electric resistance-heating coils 170. Thecontroller 132 receives feedback signals from the sensors 128 and thencompares them to a threshold temperature level. In some embodiments, thethreshold temperature is approximately the temperature at which therefrigerant combusts. In another embodiment, the threshold temperatureis a temperature less than the combustion temperature of therefrigerant. If the detected temperature of the furnace componentexceeds the threshold temperature, the controller 132 may shutoff theflow of electricity to one or more of the electric resistance-heatingcoils 170. For example, the HVAC system 120 may include multipleelectric resistance-heating coils 170 and one or more infrared sensors128 that monitor the temperature of the electric resistance-heatingcoils 170. However, not all of the electric resistance-heating coils 170may exceed the threshold temperature during operation. Accordingly, thecontroller 132 may turn off the particular electric resistance-heatingcoils 170 that exceed the threshold temperature, while allowing electricresistance-heating coils 170 to continue heating. In some embodiments,the controller 132 may again turn on the overheated electricresistance-heating coil 170 once it sufficiently cools. However, in someembodiments, all of the electric resistance-heating coils 170 may beturned off in response to detection of a single electricresistance-heating coil 170 exceeding the temperature threshold.

The infrared sensors 128 may be positioned at different locations in thefurnace system 70. For example, the infrared sensors 128 may bepositioned toward known hotspots on the electric resistance-heatingcoils 170 that may exceed the threshold temperature. That is, the HVACsystem 120 may not include infrared sensors 128 capable of viewing ordetecting every portion of the electric resistance-heating coils 170.However, in some embodiments many or all portions of the electricresistance-heating coils 170 may be monitored by the infrared sensors128.

In some embodiments, the HVAC system 120 may include one or more airflowsensors 130. The airflow sensors 130 may be pressure sensors and/orflowrate sensors that enable the controller 132 to detect the amount ofairflow through the furnace system 70. As explained above, if theairflow through the furnace system 70 drops below a threshold level, thetemperature of components in the furnace system 70 may increase above athreshold temperature or set point. In other words, insufficient airflowthrough the furnace system 70 reduces heat transfer from the furnacesystem 70 components, thereby enabling portions of the furnace system 70to increase in temperature above a threshold temperature. Accordingly,monitoring the airflow through the furnace system 70 may enable shutdownof the furnace system 70 before the temperatures of components in thefurnace system 70 increase above a threshold level. The airflow sensors130 may be positioned at various locations in the HVAC system 120. Forexample, the airflow sensors 130 may be positioned at an inlet 172 tothe furnace system 70, an outlet 174 of the furnace system 70, and/orwithin the furnace system 70.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the HVAC system 120.The HVAC system 120 includes the furnace system 70 that includes aburner 176 that burns gas, such as natural gas. The heated byproducts ofthe combustion process flow through tubes or piping in a heat exchanger178, such that air directed by the blower 66 passes over the tubes orpipes and extracts heat from the combustion products. The heated air maythen be routed from the furnace system 70 to the ductwork 68 for heatingthe enclosed space 122.

In order to block combustion of potentially leaking refrigerant in theindoor unit 56, the HVAC system 120 includes infrared sensors 128 thatdetect the temperature of the heat exchanger 178. The controller 132receives these signals and compares the signals indicative of atemperature of the heat exchanger 178 to a threshold temperature. Insome embodiments, the threshold temperature being approximately thetemperature at which the refrigerant combusts or in another embodiment atemperature less than the combustion temperature of the refrigerant. Ifthe detected temperature of the heat exchanger 178 exceeds the thresholdtemperature, the controller 132 may shutoff the flow of gas to theburner 176.

The infrared sensors 128 may be positioned at different locations in thefurnace system 70 to detect the temperature of the heat exchanger 178.For example, the infrared sensors 128 may be positioned proximate toknown hotspots on the heat exchanger 178 that may potentially exceed thethreshold temperature. That is, the HVAC system 120 may not includeinfrared sensors 128 capable of viewing every portion of the heatexchanger 178. For example, the infrared sensors 128 may be positionedproximate to the inlet section 180 of the heat exchanger 178. Duringoperation, the inlet section 180 of the heat exchanger 178 receives thecombustion products at their highest temperatures. Accordingly, theinlet section 180 of the heat exchanger 178 may be the hottest portionof the heat exchanger 178. Infrared sensors 128 may therefore bepositioned in such a way as to detect the temperature of the inletsection 180 to determine if the heat exchanger 178 exceeds the thresholdtemperature.

In some embodiments, the HVAC system 120 may include one or more airflowsensors 130. The airflow sensors 130 may be pressure sensors and/orflowrate sensors that enable the controller 132 to detect the amount ofairflow through the furnace system 70, and thus across the heatexchanger 178. As explained above, if the airflow through the furnacesystem 70 drops below a threshold level, the temperature of componentsin the furnace system 70 may increase above a threshold temperature. Inother words, insufficient airflow through the furnace system 70 reducesheat transfer from the heat exchanger 178 enabling it to increase intemperature above a threshold temperature. Accordingly, monitoring theairflow through the furnace system 70 may enable shutdown of the furnacesystem 70 before the temperatures of components in the furnace system 70increase above a threshold level capable of combusting a leakingrefrigerant.

Only certain features and embodiments of the disclosure have beenillustrated and described, many modifications and changes may occur tothose skilled in the art, such as variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, or values ofparameters, without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. The order orsequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequencedaccording to alternative embodiments. It is, therefore, to be understoodthat the appended claims are intended to cover all such modificationsand changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosure.Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concise description of theexemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may nothave been described, such as those unrelated to the presentlycontemplated best mode of carrying out the disclosure, or thoseunrelated to enabling the claimed subject matter. It should beappreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation,as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementationspecific decisions may be made. Such a development effort might becomplex and time consuming, but would be a routine undertaking ofdesign, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill havingthe benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation.

1. A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system,comprising: a sensor configured to detect a temperature of a heater of aheating component and to emit a signal indicative of the temperature; aflow management device configured to control a flow of electricity orfuel from a power source to the heating component; and a controllerconfigured to receive the signal from the sensor and operate the flowmanagement device to block the flow of electricity or fuel to theheating component when the signal is indicative of the temperature beingabove a set point.
 2. The HVAC system of claim 1, comprising the heater,wherein the heater comprises an electric resistance-heating coil andwherein the flow management device comprises a switch configured toblock the flow of electricity by disconnecting the resistance-heatingcoil from the power source based on instructions from the controller. 3.The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is an infrared sensor. 4.The HVAC system of claim 1, comprising an airflow sensor configured todetect an airflow through the HVAC system and to emit a signalindicative of the airflow.
 5. The HVAC system of claim 4, wherein thecontroller is configured to receive the signal indicative of the airflowand to activate the flow management device to block the flow ofelectricity or fuel in response to the airflow being less than athreshold airflow.
 6. The HVAC system of claim 4, wherein the airflowsensor is upstream from the heater relative to an airflow path throughthe HVAC system.
 7. The HVAC system of claim 1, comprising a pressuresensor configured to detect an air pressure in the HVAC system and toemit a signal indicative of the air pressure.
 8. The HVAC system ofclaim 7, wherein the pressure sensor is upstream from the heaterrelative to an airflow path through the HVAC system.
 9. The HVAC systemof claim 1, comprising the heater and the heating component, wherein theheater comprises a heat exchanger and the heating component comprises aburner assembly, and wherein the flow management device comprises avalve configured to block the flow of fuel by closing based oninstructions from the controller.
 10. A heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) system, comprising: a sensor configured to detect atemperature of a heat exchanger in a furnace system and to emit a signalindicative of the temperature; a switch or valve configured to limit aflow of fuel to the furnace system; and a controller configured toreceive the signal indicative of the temperature and to activate theswitch or valve to limit the flow of the fuel to the furnace system inresponse to the signal being indicative of the temperature exceeding athreshold value.
 11. The HVAC system of claim 10, wherein the switch orvalve is configured to completely seal off the flow of the fuel inresponse to instructions from the controller.
 12. The HVAC system ofclaim 10, wherein the sensor is an infrared sensor, and wherein the HVACsystem further comprises an airflow sensor configured to detect anairflow through the HVAC system and to emit a signal indicative of theairflow.
 13. The HVAC system of claim 12, wherein the controller isconfigured to receive the signal indicative of the airflow and toactivate the switch or valve to block the flow of the fuel to thefurnace system in response to the airflow being less than a thresholdairflow.
 14. The HVAC system of claim 10, wherein the sensor is aninfrared sensor and wherein the HVAC system further comprises a pressuresensor configured to detect an air pressure in the HVAC system and toemit a signal indicative of the air pressure.
 15. A heating ventilationand air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising: a sensor configured todetect a temperature of an HVAC component and to emit a signalindicative of the temperature; a controller configured to receive thesignal indicative of the temperature and to transmit a signal to blockflow of fuel or electricity to the HVAC system in response to thetemperature being in excess of a threshold temperature.
 16. The HVACsystem of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to emit awarning signal when the temperature is in excess of the thresholdtemperature.
 17. The HVAC system of claim 16, wherein the warning signalcomprises an audible tone, a written message, an audible message, aflashing light, or a combination thereof.
 18. The HVAC system of claim16, comprising an electronic user device configured to receive thewarning signal.
 19. The HVAC system of claim 18, wherein the electronicuser device comprises a computer, a thermostat, or a mobile electronicdevice.
 20. The HVAC system of claim 15, wherein the HVAC componentcomprises an electric resistance-heating coil, and wherein thecontroller is configured to transmit the signal to open a switch toblock flow of electricity to the electric resistance-heating coil. 21.The HVAC system of claim 15, wherein the HVAC component comprises aburner, and wherein the controller is configured to transmit the signalto close a valve to block flow of fuel to the burner.
 22. The HVACsystem of claim 15, wherein the sensor is an infrared sensor.
 23. TheHVAC system of claim 15, wherein the threshold temperature is a reactiontemperature for a refrigerant of the HVAC system.